Cricketers offered match-fixing amnesty

England's professional cricketers have been offered an amnesty to report match-fixing approaches until the end of April in the wake of the Mervyn Westfield corruption trial.

The decision was made at an ECB management board meeting at Lord's on Thursday within hours of Westfield pleading guilty to accepting £6000 from an unnamed contact involved in an illegal gambling scam.

An ECB statement said: "The board has determined that a reporting window through to April 30, 2012 should be offered to players and officials to report approaches or information related to corrupt activities.

"It is an offence under ECB regulations not to report such activity and the board wished to provide an open opportunity for players or officials who may not have previously reported such activity to be offered the opportunity to furnish information without the threat of sanction concerning a prior failure to report such activity."

Chris Watts, the ECB's information manager, said: "Information is critical in addressing the threat posed by corruption in sport. The decision of the board to provide a window for retrospective reporting of alleged approaches will greatly assist the access unit in compiling a more complete picture of the source and focus of approaches which may have taken place in the past.

"Individuals may not have thought these approaches were worthy of reporting at the time," said Watts. "And prior to the decision of the board may have been concerned that the fact they did not report such activity may have put them at risk of disciplinary action."

Westfield's conviction on corruption charges will send a "useful message" to all English players, claims Angus Porter, the chief executive of the players' union, the Professional Cricketers' Association. He believes the case involving the former Essex seamer will "act as a signal to all players."

"This is a day of mixed emotions," said Porter. "While it couldn't be described as a good day for cricket, it is encouraging that action has been taken and that wrong-doing has been uncovered. My overwhelming reaction is that I'm pleased he decided to plead guilty.

"I don't think you can take the game of cricket away from the rest of his life. Use him as an example to make sure that other cricketers don't make the same mistake he did."

Nasser Hussain

"The other lesson we must take from this is that there is no room for complacency. The world has moved on since 2009 and the game has invested in player education. We went round all the counties in the pre-season period of 2010 and spoke to every county squad. All the players now know of their obligations and know the ways in which they might be persuaded to get involved in such practises."

The hot-line set-up for players to report any approaches has, according to Porter, seen very little activity, but he believes that the PCA may have played a key role in uncovering Westfield's actions.

While a number of Westfield's team-mates expressed some concerns at the time of the game in question, in September 2009, Porter believes it was the PCA's involvement in 2010 that provided the catalyst to those misgivings being reported to the proper authorities.

"We're not seeing a lot of activity on the hot-line. We've had less than a handful of calls. But it's important to remember that players can report any concerns in a number of different ways. They could, for example, report any concerns to their county in the first instance.

"I'm reluctant to overplay the role of the PCA in this, but yes, that is how I understand how this unfolded. It would seem that our reminders were issued in a timely way and triggered this response."

Porter described any potential comeback by Westfield as "unlikely".

"We hope that this sends a strong message to professional sportsmen and women around the country," said detective sergeant Paul Lopez of Essex Police, which conducted the investigation. "If they think that match-fixing is not a crime then they need to think again."

Angus Fraser has a perspective on the dangers of sports-fixing, as a player for England and Middlesex, a cricket journalist and now as Middlesex's managing director of cricket. "The ECB has been pretty vigilant," said Fraser. "I am sure that the players are as armed as possible against these incidents should they come along. There are always temptations and there always will be."

Ronnie Irani, who captained Westfield at Essex, expressed his sadness. "He was special," Irani told Sky Sports. "He really was. His parents will be gutted. It's a sad day for him, his family, for Essex and for the game."

Nasser Hussain, the former England and Essex captain, called for "an appropriate ban" and for Westfield to be used prominently in an education process for young professional cricketers.

"We have to be tough on spot-fixers to send a message to future generations," Hussain told Sky Sports. "He was a 21-year-old and he made a mistake. I don't think you can take the game of cricket away from the rest of his life. Use him as an example, make a video or something, to make sure that other cricketers don't make the same mistake he did."

@ iBilal...i agree its a sad day for world cricket. but i think you are contradicting yourself for telling others not to be prejudice while at the same time making a statement that "Pakistanis will find uncomfortable satisfaction" . Arent Pakistanis being singled out by you??
What about South Africans or other former test players involved in fixing??
Money is temptation, all humans err they dont have to be only pakistani. Cricket has been full of corruption.

POSTED BY
Sharjil.k
on | January 14, 2012, 2:23 GMT

bigotry at its best. How about they let him walk free with a bag of smarties for coming out clean? Maybe others would follow?
Absolutely ridiculous

POSTED BY
sabee66
on | January 13, 2012, 22:58 GMT

What about IPL , there is a hell lot of rigging and fixing there
is ICC blind or they just dont want to see because of the money
I am sure alot of indian player will be banned for life if they dig into

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 22:20 GMT

I can't help wonder if his real crime was being easily led and gullible enough to believe that it wasn't as serious an offence as the authorities had told him.

In Amir's case, he was even younger, with his career being held hostage.

Very, very sad.

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 14:29 GMT

crooketNOTcricket...ICCnotCII !

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | January 13, 2012, 14:03 GMT

jimmy2s i dont agree with your sentiments re jail time. it had to be with jail as i think the sentence did fit the crime under british law. what was done to those 3 and i expectthe brit guy had to be jail time. to the others on here the amnesty is for guys to report bookies or similar asking them to do the dirty deed. the amnesty is not for guys who have done similar things as the other 4. dpk

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | January 13, 2012, 13:50 GMT

as far as iv heard on tv hes coming back later in the year for sentencing. which i think is the nornin the uk, and i expect him to go to jail. as for the pakistani players as they did not live in the uk, and maybe they thought they may not come back to this country their jail terms were given right away. i also expect him to be banned for life, which should have been given by the icc for the pakistani.this player was by police/cricket counties, not a sting operation. if they do ban him do the people who spoke on here would it then be ok for a life ban on the 3. i expect not. dpk

POSTED BY
SaleemHatoum
on | January 13, 2012, 13:05 GMT

The chickens are coming home to roast! If Mervyn Westfield was 21 when he committed this crime than M. Aamir was 18, and Aamir was naive was any 18 year old. The Whiteman's justice is very selected and indeed it is. Aamir should have NEVER received the punishment levied on him, he was first time offender and anywhere in the world where justice is in black and white he would have let go with a warning and community service. As Mike Bearlerly said Aamir deserves more compassion than anyone else. There should be no 'amnesty' to any cricketer, none, zero. Whoever committed this crime of match fixing needs to be prosecuted to the fullest and punished for their crimes against cricketing world. If Westfield gets an exemption than it should be followed by releasing PCB-3 and lifting all the bans levied against them. Nasser Hussain you are dead wrong in your assessment!

POSTED BY
wc1992
on | January 14, 2012, 10:25 GMT

dravidgood ... you must be a REDNEK ... TO SAY THIS

POSTED BY
stark-truth
on | January 14, 2012, 7:28 GMT

Whatever happened to British justice?

POSTED BY
on | January 14, 2012, 5:13 GMT

@ iBilal...i agree its a sad day for world cricket. but i think you are contradicting yourself for telling others not to be prejudice while at the same time making a statement that "Pakistanis will find uncomfortable satisfaction" . Arent Pakistanis being singled out by you??
What about South Africans or other former test players involved in fixing??
Money is temptation, all humans err they dont have to be only pakistani. Cricket has been full of corruption.

POSTED BY
Sharjil.k
on | January 14, 2012, 2:23 GMT

bigotry at its best. How about they let him walk free with a bag of smarties for coming out clean? Maybe others would follow?
Absolutely ridiculous

POSTED BY
sabee66
on | January 13, 2012, 22:58 GMT

What about IPL , there is a hell lot of rigging and fixing there
is ICC blind or they just dont want to see because of the money
I am sure alot of indian player will be banned for life if they dig into

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 22:20 GMT

I can't help wonder if his real crime was being easily led and gullible enough to believe that it wasn't as serious an offence as the authorities had told him.

In Amir's case, he was even younger, with his career being held hostage.

Very, very sad.

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 14:29 GMT

crooketNOTcricket...ICCnotCII !

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | January 13, 2012, 14:03 GMT

jimmy2s i dont agree with your sentiments re jail time. it had to be with jail as i think the sentence did fit the crime under british law. what was done to those 3 and i expectthe brit guy had to be jail time. to the others on here the amnesty is for guys to report bookies or similar asking them to do the dirty deed. the amnesty is not for guys who have done similar things as the other 4. dpk

POSTED BY
bumsonseats
on | January 13, 2012, 13:50 GMT

as far as iv heard on tv hes coming back later in the year for sentencing. which i think is the nornin the uk, and i expect him to go to jail. as for the pakistani players as they did not live in the uk, and maybe they thought they may not come back to this country their jail terms were given right away. i also expect him to be banned for life, which should have been given by the icc for the pakistani.this player was by police/cricket counties, not a sting operation. if they do ban him do the people who spoke on here would it then be ok for a life ban on the 3. i expect not. dpk

POSTED BY
SaleemHatoum
on | January 13, 2012, 13:05 GMT

The chickens are coming home to roast! If Mervyn Westfield was 21 when he committed this crime than M. Aamir was 18, and Aamir was naive was any 18 year old. The Whiteman's justice is very selected and indeed it is. Aamir should have NEVER received the punishment levied on him, he was first time offender and anywhere in the world where justice is in black and white he would have let go with a warning and community service. As Mike Bearlerly said Aamir deserves more compassion than anyone else. There should be no 'amnesty' to any cricketer, none, zero. Whoever committed this crime of match fixing needs to be prosecuted to the fullest and punished for their crimes against cricketing world. If Westfield gets an exemption than it should be followed by releasing PCB-3 and lifting all the bans levied against them. Nasser Hussain you are dead wrong in your assessment!

POSTED BY
igorolman
on | January 13, 2012, 12:48 GMT

If anything, this is worse than the Pakistan 3. They bowled no-balls to order, in a 5-day game, 3 times for money. This guy was affecting the result of the game in a considerably greater fashion. Forget the level or meaning of the game - he was conspiring to cheat, and conspiring to corrupt. He should go to jail. As to a ban - I don't think he's going to play professionally ever again anyway, so 5-7 years sounds valid.

POSTED BY
Charlie101
on | January 13, 2012, 12:17 GMT

There has been a very large racing scandel recently where the protagonists were banned but not prosecuted and I feel that the cricketers ( the 3 Pakistanis included ) have received both a ban and a prison sentence which is harsh as basically the crime was fixing ( I assume that Westfield will be going to prison quite rightly) . I feel that the guys including Westfield should have their bans lifted once they have served their time and be allowed back into the game provided they cooperate and give evidence against other members of the fixing "team ". For example Westfield should shop a certain spin bowler who was too clever to be caught. They may not be able to resurect their careers but should have the opportunity if a team will give them a job once they are released from some awful prison.

POSTED BY
criccritez
on | January 13, 2012, 11:20 GMT

Biased, Biased and Biased!!!, A poor inocent 21yrs old???. " If this would be a pakistani or indian cricketer, it would be the front page breaking news in england and australia, All there so called cricket legends in real contrived cricketers would have given there meiotic comments with a verdict of life time ban". A 17yrs old, grade 10 student gets Jail time,5yrs banned, life time stigmatization, Faces Court, Trial and jury, who can't even speak english. Where the Hell is Justice???
I would rathe prefer to see two different judiciary system in these western countries, one for them and the other for subcontinents.

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 10:18 GMT

Pakistanis complaining here should wait for the sentencing process, both by the board and the court. Also, Nasser Hussain has been consistent in his statements. He called for leniency for Amir and now is calling for leniency for Westfield. It is obvious he is not comfortable with such young offenders getting 5 year bans.

POSTED BY
Hillaire
on | January 13, 2012, 8:38 GMT

I don't believe he should get anything less than the sentences given to the pakistan players, lets not give their apologists any ammunition. This needs to be stamped on whereever it is found. I applaud the ECB for their amnesty which seems a very good idea and wish all boards were as proactive on corruption.

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 6:38 GMT

Now everyone is listening and trying to bail out the player.

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 5:27 GMT

Why couldnt Nasser Hussain come up with the same suggestion when he was called for the Pakistani tio's heads. Or has he found some long-lost sympathy at last?

POSTED BY
Harmony111
on | January 13, 2012, 4:43 GMT

This is absolute nonsense from the Eng authorities. This fellow should go through the exact same procedure as the Pakistani players have gone. I can't believe Naseer Hussain saying that he is a 21 year old and one can't take his game from him. Hello, what about Mohd Amir then? These fellow is just as guilty as they were. Sheer double standards from England. And these very people accuse BCCI of not being fair to them, are you being fair? I would rather see BCCI hammering these hypocrites on all issues. Naseer says that an example should be made out of him by making a video, Wow !!! So you do something reprehensible and then all you should go through is some shooting? I am very sure the Pakistanis are feeling very unhappy at the way this is going on. It seems all the laws in the world are for them only. No one is defending Amir here but merely saying that the rules must be the same for all. Oz did the same to Warne-Waugh when the Pitch/Weather issue came up. I thought the Eng were just.

POSTED BY
adnan_rifat84
on | January 13, 2012, 4:33 GMT

this is what we all pakistanis talk about conspiracies of english media and players.. west field is young for nasir hussain and aamir was not, life ban for aamir not for west field. DOUBLE STANDARD. West Field accepted that he took 6000 pounds for 12 runs in an over but aamir did the NO ball just because his captain said to him to do that. Kid wasn't aware of what captain is doing. where is justice of english players and media?

POSTED BY
StarsnStumps
on | January 13, 2012, 4:31 GMT

Holy Cow!!! Izzy Butt was right!!!! I hope he gets the same sentence as the Pakistan players

POSTED BY
on | January 13, 2012, 2:35 GMT

Wow so when you do it, it's only a childish mistake and when we do it, you all call for friggin capital punishments and life bans! Even when I don't agree with the sentences given to Muhammad Amir, It's done now and everyone else committing spot or match fixing should be tried and be punished on the same level!

POSTED BY
Biophysicist
on | January 13, 2012, 1:58 GMT

All those who claim that this has not happened in an international match and hence the penalty/punishment can be more lenient should note that the pressures/inducements on a youngster playing in an international match to fix must have been much higher; hence the chance of acceding to them is also higher.

POSTED BY
PrakTheTruthful
on | January 13, 2012, 1:55 GMT

@manihammad... the amnesty is for people who have knowledge of, but haven't reported such incidents. As the article states "It is an offence under ECB regulations not to report such activity"... I doubt leniency will be offered to perpetrators. I hope not, anyway.

POSTED BY
Meety
on | January 13, 2012, 1:49 GMT

Grubby County cricket!!!!!!

POSTED BY
coolitbaby
on | January 12, 2012, 23:34 GMT

@iBilal : Well the only difference is that it is a recurring problem with Pakistan cricket. Over and over again Pakistan cricketers have been charged with match fixing. Unless PCB and Pak administration takes serious steps to address the situation we will continue seeing players from Pakistan getting into match fixing.

POSTED BY
Harvey
on | January 12, 2012, 23:29 GMT

Excellent move by the ECB. A pity the ICC didn't have the courage to announce something similar in the wake of the Butt/Asif/Amir case. Instead they just buried their heads in the sand and said that fixing is not widespread.

POSTED BY
salman_0902
on | January 12, 2012, 22:55 GMT

It is not spot fixing it is match fixing. the whole match played by this lad was fixed by him. spot fixing would have been a No ball a wide ball or something here or theres but his whole quota of overs was spent to lose the match. calling it spot fixing will only reduce the impact of this crime.

POSTED BY
da_man_
on | January 12, 2012, 22:49 GMT

Relax people, he hasn't gotten away with anything yet. Let things unfold further. I'm sure the 3 Pakistanis and their lawyers will be watching proceedings with interest. The British penal system doesn't usually allow for double standards. If he gets off the hook, there will be extreme pressure to revoke the sentences of the Pakistanis, and for compensation for time already spent in prison etc. I think this guy should be banned for 5 years like Aamir, and go to prison for 6 months like Aamir.

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2012, 22:48 GMT

Wow! This is biases at its best! I 100% agree to No1_Jon!
I am not saying this because I am from Pakistan, but if you have your eyes, brain and heart in order, you will agree that it is double standards for sure. Why a 21 year old should be given only a warning? and sentenced to jail a 18 year old guy (Who belonged to a rural area who wasn't even grownup in shadow of educated people a guy who was the next big thing in the world of cricket)

I am not saying this guy must be put in jail because Pakistani players were sent to jail. I am only saying justice should be equal!

POSTED BY
bobbo2
on | January 12, 2012, 21:38 GMT

Life ban. I'm sick of this rubbish and players need to know there is no tolerance at all. Should also be a criminal offence given fans are paying memberships, buying shirts, buying tickets, and gambling on games on the belief the game is genuine.

Age is not an excuse given the media coverage of this issue recently

POSTED BY
FreddyForPrimeMinister
on | January 12, 2012, 21:38 GMT

Sadly I agree with most comments here. Whilst such a crime in a "dead" county game does not compare with a similar misdemeanour in a live Test match series, we simply cannot be seen to be making double standards here. Westfield did at least plead guilty, unlike the Pakistani 3, but his crime was greater in that he deliberately gave runs away that were more likely to affect the outcome of a game, as opposed to a couple of no-balls. I'm afraid the boy needs to receive a ban (not life but maybe 5 years) and a jail sentence (maybe 6 months) so an example can be set for others and the world can see that we treat our own no differently from our foreign guests. Jem.

POSTED BY
shillingsworth
on | January 12, 2012, 21:24 GMT

@Shabier Mayken - Butt was referring to a match between England and Pakistan, not a domestic fixture. This case therefore has no relevance to his comments, which were without foundation, as Butt himself eventually accepted.

POSTED BY
allblue
on | January 12, 2012, 20:50 GMT

There is some confusion in the comments here, and to be fair the article does not spell it out very clearly. The ECB amnesty is for players who did not report an approach, or knowledge of an approach to another player, both of which they are required to report to the ECB. As such, they are breaches of ECB regulations, but actually participating in some form of match-fixing is a criminal offence in England, hence Westfield's appearance in a court. Same with the three Pakistan players who were sent to prison for breaking the law, their ICC bans are another matter. As English law works on precedent, I suspect Westfield will get a prison term, and would only avoid such an eventuality if the court was persuaded of some strong mitigation in his favour. I agree with jimmy2s though, prison is too harsh a sentence for such an offence in my opinion, especially as the criminals who run the rackets seem to always get away with it.

POSTED BY
arsalansallu
on | January 12, 2012, 20:48 GMT

Time has come to show that law is same for everyone. He should, and he MUST be given 1 year jail sentence and 5 years ban on playing cricket. English media and justice system has set some example in the case of pakistani players. Same should happen with this english player. He should be humiliated the same way pakistanis were dealt on media.

POSTED BY
salman_0902
on | January 12, 2012, 20:27 GMT

Makes me really feel bad to see people supporting this lad. asking for some kind of ban. some time ago the same people were calling for strict punishments and making examples of the cricketers of the same type. Nassir hossain needs a life. He spent all his life playing and weeping. I didn't find any soft corner for an 18 years old who told again and again that he was forced by his captain. Now the same people find this crime not so big. Shame on them.

POSTED BY
donda
on | January 12, 2012, 19:09 GMT

I believe that advent of satellite TV gave birth to most of match fixing and spot fixing.
I am sure that what every match is telecast on TV can be fixed and may have players do spot fixing to earn money.

every cricket board should check their domestic structure to make sure there is not spo fixing.
IPL, England domestic season and Big Bash has great prospect of these events.
I believe that every player who is caught fixing should be banned from cricket for life and sentenced to jail.

POSTED BY
manihammad
on | January 12, 2012, 18:24 GMT

So they get amnesty and a chance to come clear suddenly? And he is 21 and everyone is crying and he is yet to make an impact. What about 17 year old kid making the same mistake?

POSTED BY
wrenx
on | January 12, 2012, 18:14 GMT

I'm all for showing some compassion, and agree that he shouldn't be shut out of the game for life, but there is a precedent to follow. English cricket has enough accusations of hypocrisy levelled at it to ignore this; last summer, 3 Pakistani cricketers were handed custodial sentences for the exact same offence, and it would undermine that decision not to give Westfield a custodial sentence. In truth, none of these players deserve custodial sentences, it goes against the entire spirit of the law as it is a sentence not commensurate with the crime, not a violent crime and their imprisonment serves no public benefit. Still, the precedent is set, it has to be followed.

POSTED BY
hhillbumper
on | January 12, 2012, 17:33 GMT

It seems a shame that he did this but he must face some punishment for what he has done.While not doing it at test level he must be treated in the same light as the PCB 3.

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2012, 17:00 GMT

An English cricketer involved in match fixing.....Ijaz Butt your statements were not totally wrong during summer 2010 events in Briton.

POSTED BY
dravidgood
on | January 12, 2012, 16:54 GMT

I think it is fair to let him go with a warning and some monetary punishment. Also, should he repeat the misdeed, his right to play the game can be revoked later. But we must encourage people trying to fix their past indiscretions.....

POSTED BY
200ondebut
on | January 12, 2012, 16:35 GMT

Another sad day for cricket. Whatever playing ban meeted out to Westfiled has to be consistent with those given globally. We don't want to be accused of being lenient on our own players!

POSTED BY
No1_Jon
on | January 12, 2012, 16:09 GMT

What makes me cringe is the hypocrysy shown by some pundits and those in the media...it was only a short-while ago when another (younger) international player from another side of the world was being condemmned and brandished a cheat , for spot-fixing, with calls for 'life bans' and heavy penalities yet now we have these soft comments coming out! Just shows the double standards we currently live amongst! Stinks

POSTED BY
iBilal
on | January 12, 2012, 15:56 GMT

some Pakistanis will find uncomfortable satisfaction in this conviction, seeing it as an affirmation that spot-fixing is not limited to subcontinent. It is a sad day for cricket nonetheless. And I believe that we should not act like a lynch-mob handing life-time-bans or prison sentences to players over spot-fixing in the name of deterrence; we have to be completely unprejudiced, specially in the backdrop of spot-fixing convictions of Pakistanis.

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2012, 15:55 GMT

umm he's 21 and made a mistake? and he should get appropriate ban? so what about a 18 year old who made the same mistake and was banned for 5 years, and jailed for 6 months? where is the justice then. this guy can not be treated easier, just because he is english..

POSTED BY
Suleman1
on | January 12, 2012, 15:55 GMT

Mr.Nassir Hussain, Aamir was 19 !! No feeling for him ??!!

POSTED BY
wiiCricket
on | January 12, 2012, 15:22 GMT

So no jail time for him? Nasser Hussain genuinely wants to forgive him even though to him 21 year old is very young age compared to an 18 year old player? bell rings?

POSTED BY
M-S-R
on | January 12, 2012, 15:17 GMT

No first time offender should get life ban!

No featured comments at the moment.

POSTED BY
M-S-R
on | January 12, 2012, 15:17 GMT

No first time offender should get life ban!

POSTED BY
wiiCricket
on | January 12, 2012, 15:22 GMT

So no jail time for him? Nasser Hussain genuinely wants to forgive him even though to him 21 year old is very young age compared to an 18 year old player? bell rings?

POSTED BY
Suleman1
on | January 12, 2012, 15:55 GMT

Mr.Nassir Hussain, Aamir was 19 !! No feeling for him ??!!

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2012, 15:55 GMT

umm he's 21 and made a mistake? and he should get appropriate ban? so what about a 18 year old who made the same mistake and was banned for 5 years, and jailed for 6 months? where is the justice then. this guy can not be treated easier, just because he is english..

POSTED BY
iBilal
on | January 12, 2012, 15:56 GMT

some Pakistanis will find uncomfortable satisfaction in this conviction, seeing it as an affirmation that spot-fixing is not limited to subcontinent. It is a sad day for cricket nonetheless. And I believe that we should not act like a lynch-mob handing life-time-bans or prison sentences to players over spot-fixing in the name of deterrence; we have to be completely unprejudiced, specially in the backdrop of spot-fixing convictions of Pakistanis.

POSTED BY
No1_Jon
on | January 12, 2012, 16:09 GMT

What makes me cringe is the hypocrysy shown by some pundits and those in the media...it was only a short-while ago when another (younger) international player from another side of the world was being condemmned and brandished a cheat , for spot-fixing, with calls for 'life bans' and heavy penalities yet now we have these soft comments coming out! Just shows the double standards we currently live amongst! Stinks

POSTED BY
200ondebut
on | January 12, 2012, 16:35 GMT

Another sad day for cricket. Whatever playing ban meeted out to Westfiled has to be consistent with those given globally. We don't want to be accused of being lenient on our own players!

POSTED BY
dravidgood
on | January 12, 2012, 16:54 GMT

I think it is fair to let him go with a warning and some monetary punishment. Also, should he repeat the misdeed, his right to play the game can be revoked later. But we must encourage people trying to fix their past indiscretions.....

POSTED BY
on | January 12, 2012, 17:00 GMT

An English cricketer involved in match fixing.....Ijaz Butt your statements were not totally wrong during summer 2010 events in Briton.

POSTED BY
hhillbumper
on | January 12, 2012, 17:33 GMT

It seems a shame that he did this but he must face some punishment for what he has done.While not doing it at test level he must be treated in the same light as the PCB 3.